Char turned THREE!

 Saturday was our Char's big birthday and he was pleased as punch! The day before, as he challenged me about something (like he always does) I said, "Char, I am in charge. Tomorrow is your birthday and you can be in charge, but today you have to listen to me." His mood immediately lifted as he tentatively asked, "I'll be in charge?!!!" and then he slyly grinned about it for the longest while. This boy LOVES power! 

The day started out earlier than I was hoping for (the boys woke up at six) but James surprised us all by taking the two big boys out for an early morning fishing trip so that McCabe and I could sleep in. For that reason, I have no pictures of Char being greeted by the decorated front room. Although, James did tell me that he went around happily kicking the balloons and quietly sang Happy Birthday to himself.

Once they returned, we headed to our nearby grocery store for some donuts.

 McCabe is pushing his truck into the store. That boy LOVES his trucks!

Once we got our donuts, we headed to the city park that we have had our eye on for the last while. This park has a HUGE statue of the legend, Johnny Kaw...not to be confused with Paul Bunyan. Playing at a park on his birthday was a must for Char and we were all happy to please.

 After they ran around for a bit, they tried out these cool swings. Mason loved it. Char wasn't so sure....

 That is, he wasn't until he had his trusty little brother wedged between him and the ground.

Just as we finished swinging, a man came up to us and informed us that they were giving free pony rides at the other end of the park. FREE PONY RIDES?!!! What luck!!! Who in their right mind would give away FREE pony rides?!!! 

The Le Leche League, that's who. Turned out that the local chapter was hosting a breastfeeding awareness day with a jump house and pony rides to boot! So, with attractions like that, we didn't care that women were walking around while breastfeeding without covers; they were giving us free pony rides!

 While in line, a woman gave us this bag. Char was sure that it was a birthday present for himself and was stoked. 

The sign for the pony ride. I like the "ride at your own risk" near the bottom.

Mason's dream horse was the first to be ready so Char graciously let his brother go ahead of him. The horses name was coconut and Mason was in hog heaven!

 Next up was the birthday boy! He loves brown horses so he didn't mind the extra wait.

 

Right after Char got placed on his steed, the head lady came up and told us that they were about to take the group picture and do the parade around the park. We thought that they would cut our boy's ride short, but instead they kept both boys on their horses and walked them over to the stands where we all (including James) took part in the Le Leche League group picture! James and I were nearly rolling on the ground with laughter. What luck! Not only did our boys get pony rides, but they also got to be the grand marshals of the Le Leche League! Hot dog!!

After the pictures were taken, McCabe tried his hand at pony riding.

 We have no doubt that inside he was doing back-flips, but he was able to keep a stoic look on his face for his entire ride.

After the time with our horse friends drew to a close, we headed over to the bounce house for even more fun! However, while the boys were taking their shoes off to get ready to climb in, the lady running the house stopped Charlie and said that all children three and under had to jump in the neighboring itsy-bitsy jump house that was sitting off to the side. "Don't worry," she said, "the younger kids actually prefer it!" 

 Maybe most do, but Char wasn't so sure:

 When our fun with The Le Leche League came to a close, we picked up Little Ceasers and headed to our favorite lake for a picnic and more fishing.

You would never know it but Char's lower half was hanging off the pier and in the water when I took this casual shot.

 While there, James caught us dinner!

 Char kindly told the fish that it was his birthday over and over again.

While we played, poor souls showed up for a canoeing lesson from a guy who looked like all the power had gone to his head. They barely spent any time in the water but spent most of it on the water's edge while their brave instructor showed them how to climb in and out over and over again.

 In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.

 After dinner we headed to the backyard for some pinata fun!

 Char requested a frog this year

 Brothers were kind enough to help with the beating. James honored McCabe by giving him the honorary mention award for his efforts.

 Next up was gift time. Char loved all of his loot...almost as much as his brothers did.

 What's more American than wearing cowboy boots WHILE playing baseball?!

We love our wonderful little three-year-old!